Reconstruction of a Death Eater

Chapter 26 - Childhood's End

The room was silent, only the gentle crackle of the fire subsiding adding a soothing background melody to the night. Draco lay propped against the headboard, staring into space and idly running a gentle hand down the smooth flank of the woman next to him. Hermione lay curled into his side, her head resting on his chest, her breath caressing his bare skin with gentle benediction as she slept. If anyone had told him even a year ago that he would be in this position, he would have laughed in their face and accused them of being drunk. Him and a Gryffindork? Not in this lifetime! And yet here he was, in the only place he wanted to be, holding his Wild Hair and feeling completely content.

It had started out innocently enough, Draco taking what he felt he was entitled to, as usual, pursuing the things he felt he was owed due to the family rank and prestige, but Hermione was not interested in those things, she made that quite clear in small but significant ways. She liked the way he studied, liked the way he could debate with her and use his brain to outthink her at times. With Hermione, he knew he was wanted and appreciated for himself alone, not for what his family had to offer or his money could buy. It was scary and heady and completely addictive.

The only problem was, she was a Mudblood as he had tossed in her face in their younger years, a Muggle-born, a word he had had to learn to use in the right places or suffer a broken jaw if he wasn't too careful. If his family or his housemates ever got wind of the budding romance, they were both dead, not figuratively but literally. His father would string them both up in the dungeons and use them for curse practice. Hermione had assured him they could both keep the secret, but sometimes he just wanted to proclaim his love...

He stirred awkwardly, drawing a protest from the sleeping girl who almost woke up only to snuggle back with a contented sigh. He really did love her, and that was the scariest part of this whole affair - that it was not an affair but a romance. When he had first made the discovery late last year, it had scared the life out of him, but now he was content to admit to himself that he loved Hermione Granger - Gryffindor, Muggle-born, powerful witch - with all his heart and soul. Once he admitted that much to himself, he had immediately gone into damage control, doing everything he could to protect her and keep her safe from his parents. There was also a matter of making himself acceptable to Hermione so that, when he presented his suit, she would find him worthy of consideration as a mate.

Money made the Pureblood world go around, and so he had cleaned out his vault, and as much of his parents' vault as he dared, transferring the money, stocks, bonds and shares to another vault he had opened at Gringotts, in the name of Minnie and Donald Morgan. His father had applauded his decision to take an interest in the family business and had introduced him to the board of directors, allowing him to take some part in the running of the vast Malfoy conglomerate. For his last birthday, he had received a small custom broom making firm, lock, stock and workforce, part of the Greater British Broom Company who produced Firebolts and Cleansweeps. His father had told him to run it as he pleased and see what he could make of it. The transfer was completely legal, and even if the world went up in smoke, Draco would still be able to derive an income from the company.

Once the income was secured, he had made a new and completely unchallengeable will, leaving everything he owned to Hermione to become effective on the day of their marriage. He made sure it was with a company other than his family solicitors, an associate of the Light whom his uncle had recommended. Severus never asked awkward questions like why he needed a non-family solicitor; he simply made the appointment and wrote out a note to allow Draco to leave the school grounds. Once there was money and legal protection, Draco felt more able to offer his chosen love something substantial, instead of merely offering her words.

This year out of time had proved to be a wonderful thing, the safety of the Room of Requirement allowing them both to say and do exactly as they wanted. When Draco had carefully laid out his new arrangements before Hermione, showing her proof of what he had done to secure her future; she had gaped at him in utter shock. Picking up each piece of parchment, she reread them carefully then folded her hands in her lap and stared at him as if using Legilimency.

"You have secured an income, you have put one hundred thousand galleons into a vault as security and you have made me your legal heir," she recapped carefully, indicating each piece of parchment as she went. "You have deeded a house in London and a house in Oxfordshire to me and guaranteed the income to run both houses comfortably for the next twenty years. Draco, why?"

The surprise on his face would have been totally comical if she had been in a laughing mood, but as it was she was just puzzled. "I'm, I'm suitable," he declared as if it should have been self-evident. "See here, and here, suitable."

"Suitable for what?" she insisted, half exasperated, half amused.

"As a suitor, as - as your prospective husband," he stated no longer as confident as he had been. "I thought... you know... us."

"Are you proposing to me, Draco Malfoy? Good grief, you are proposing! Why all these elaborate arrangements, Draco? You could have just asked me," she said gently, taking his hand and leaning forward to kiss his cheek. "Try it, Draco, just ask me," she murmured into his ear.

Draco blushed then paled then nodded jerkily. "Hermione Jane Granger, will you marry me?" he asked in nervous, stilted tones.

"Draco Malfoy, I will," she replied and almost giggled when he gasped and let out a huge sigh of relief, then grabbed her and hugged her so tightly she thought she was going to suffocate.

Draco smiled into the darkness. Muggle-borns, how different they were! His Hermione didn't need a guarantee of support or even proof of prosperity; all she wanted was a simple declaration, a question and a trumpery ring, not even an elaborate ring. Mind you, the diamond he had chosen was of the first quality, a perfect emerald cut stone set into platinum filigree so delicately it looked as if it was floating above the band. There were enough charms and wards on the ring to keep a household safe, hopefully enough to keep one wonderful woman safe from his family and their friends.

He wasn't sure when they would marry, if it would be before the end of the war or after, but marry they would. If the Light lost, then it would be a run-away match and they would set up house in the Pacific Islands, possibly in South America or Australia. If the Light won, then he would salvage what he could of the family fortune, but his current arrangements would be sufficient to keep his bride fairly comfortably until they could establish themselves again. One of the unsettling things he had immediately discovered about marrying outside the Pureblood circle was that his chosen mate had very firm ideas about a woman's place in marriage, and it was not as a pampered and cosseted pet. Hermione was just as bright and as determined as he was, and together they would succeed no matter what the outcome of the war.

Hermione stirred and blinked awake, realising Draco was not asleep. He was funny at times, making moves and then sitting back in astonishment when she didn't react the way he expected. It was amazing to see how many rethinks he could go through in a week, how many of his assumptions he could lay aside or rebuild to suit the current situation. His very versatility made him something special in her eyes, and his willingness to listen and adapt was a gift she valued above everything else. He didn't give orders then insist she obeyed them without thought. He outlined situations, gave his point of view, then listened to her arguments or agreements with an open mind and a willingness to compromise that was definitely not a pureblood trait. All in all, Draco Malfoy was wonderful! "What are you thinking of?" she asked, raising her head a little and kissing his chin gently.

He kissed her forehead and smiled. "Not much, just appreciating what I have and planning to make sure it is kept safe no matter what happens in the outside world," he murmured, snuggling her up closer.

~~*~~

Neville grinned down at Luna as he swung her delicately under his arm and dipped her with care and grace. Luna giggled and swept her free arm wide, adding a sophisticated curve to the manoeuvre that was beautiful to behold. In the background, the radiogram played waltz music softly so as not to disturb anyone, neither dancer willing to give up their time to an irate neighbour who might complain about noise. They were an odd couple, two social misfits finding acceptance in each other, complimenting each other's skills and shoring up each other's weaknesses.

Neville had approached his Gran about Luna, and Gran had approved her as a prospective bride, being of a suitable social status. The Lovegoods were well known in most circles, a prosperous and well-bred family. Luna had just laughed when Neville told her, handing him a cork with a note attached. Sometimes Luna did things like that. When they discovered they both loved to dance and their steps meshed as perfectly as their magic, it was a confirmation of their compatibility. Gran and Mr Lovegood had consented to their engagement to commence as soon as they left school.

This year out of time had been very good for cementing their relationship away from the scrutiny of their families, a chance to really get to know each other's likes, dislikes, wants and needs. Their friends had given them unconditional support, and they felt they could make a great life for themselves. Luna had plans for taking over the Quibbler from her father when he retired, writing for him until that day came. Neville had already been given a large tract of land by his Gran to turn into greenhouses and gardens so he could pursue his chosen career in Herbology.

"You know," Luna said dreamily, "I think we should have at least four children, don't you?"

Neville felt his jaw drop then a grin forced its way across his face. "Four? Yes, I'd like that, but why four?"

"So they wouldn't be lonely. Two would play together, but then if they fought they would be lonely. If there were three and they fought, then they would gang up two to one and that wouldn't be fair, but four would give a lot more scope for alliances and friendships, and if someone outside the family interfered then they could all gang up on the intruder. Didn't you always long for siblings?"

"True. I didn't have anything except Muggle friends when I was a child. They thought I was going to be a Squib so they made plans accordingly." Neville had grown past the bitterness he used to feel, thanks to Luna and Harry and Ron and Hermione.

"Little did they know...," Luna said splaying her hand over her heart dramatically and pantomiming a faint of shock that made Neville giggle and swirl her into the dance once again.

Yes, Luna was wonderful!

~~*~~

Dean was teaching Seamus how to play soccer in the gym, a pastime fraught with danger it turned out as Seamus managed to kick him in the shins again. "Bloody hells, man, the ball, kick the ball!" Dean yelped, hopping madly much to Seamus' amusement.

Seamus laughed, drew his wand and spelled his mate's shin as he attempted to dribble the ball as he had been shown. Dean was a good sport and a fine friend, and more. They had clicked as soon as they hit first year together, their friendship slowly turning to more serious like as they grew older. He wasn't sure how they had ended up together, whose idea it had been to make the first move, but he was happy with Dean, even if Dean tended to drift off and find a girl every time he had a crisis of conscience. He hadn't minded Dean seeing Ginny, because they all knew she was going to end up with Harry so she was no real threat, but that bloody Lavender was a pain in the arse. Still, that had come to a sticky end when her demands had become too much and Dean had finally come to his senses. She was stalking McMillan now and good luck to them both!

They both looked up startled as Harry burst into the gym, not stopping as he ran across and slammed through into the corridor that led to the dormitories and rooms. He didn't even pause to say hello but just powered on through, the knocking on a door breaking the silence a few seconds later. The two young men exchanged puzzled glances then shrugged and resumed their game. If it was anything they needed to be told, they would find out at breakfast. That was usually how things worked here in their own little microcosm of the world.

~~*~~

Ginny stumbled out of bed when the pounding on her door finally penetrated her sleep. Grumbling in disgust, she cracked the door open then opened it more fully when the agitated Harry began to push in. "What on earth are you doing, do you know what time it is?" she asked as the young man skidded to a stop in the centre of the room and stared at the empty bed on the other side.

"Where's Hermione?" he demanded, pushing a hand through his already wildly tangled hair.

Ginny narrowed her eyes. "Why do you want her?" she asked softly.

"I have some news, some really good and really bad news, I really need to talk to her, Ginny, right now," Harry pleaded, then grinned maniacally. "She's with Malfoy, isn't she? Damn it! Oh well, no help for it, he has been doing a lot of the research too, I suppose, and he is on our side, or he had better be or we are all dead, aren't we?"

"Malfoy is on Hermione's side, that much I can guarantee you, and as long as she is on our side, so is he," Ginny pronounced slowly. "Harry, just sit down and get your breath for a moment, you look like you are going to hyperventilate. Can you tell me about it, whatever 'it' is?"

For a moment she thought he was going to dash off again but then he grabbed her and kissed her hard, spinning her around in a circle. "We are saved!" he announced with suppressed glee. "I have pretty much figured out what that prophecy meant and we are saved as soon as we get all the stuff together."

"Well? Don't keep me in suspense, how are we saved? And why do you need Hermione?"

Harry sobered a little, taking a deep breath before pursing his lips. "We were right, Dumbledore's tomb is a Timeless Bier and he is alive inside, the Phoenix pendant is the key. However, we need his blood kin present to open it which I think means we need Aberforth. Professor Snape has the information, but that bout of Cruciatus Curse has made him forget it, which is why I need Hermione. She might be able to help him remember, which is sort of imperative, do you see?"

"But not at eleven thirty pm, Harry, she will be asleep and waking her up will not make you very popular, I do assure you," Ginny teased with a slightly edged tone. "Let's just keep this between ourselves until tomorrow when we can all have a go at the problem, okay?"

Harry sighed and threw himself backward on Ginny's bed, a forearm over his eyes. "I suppose," he grunted in disgruntled tones, turning over onto his tummy almost automatically when Ginny urged him to.

The red head dug strong thumbs into the rolls of muscle across his shoulder blades, catapulting Harry straight into Nirvana. He groaned and felt himself turn immediately into jelly as Ginny worked on his back, his shirt bunched up around his neck. Having missed the simple pleasures of human contact when he was young, Harry revelled in it, and Ginny was just as happy to supply the touch. Limp and boneless, Harry half turned and gathered Ginny up into his arms as she wriggled down beside him, dropping a kiss on her forehead and smiling as she reciprocated, kissing up his throat. Their lips met in the middle and clung, sipping and nibbling before locking together, tongues entwined as their passions grew. The exquisite moments they stole or made together were so very precious because of the rarity. While Ron approved of his sister and best friend going out together, he did not approve of them getting too cosy together, and if he found them together in such a compromising position he would go spare as only a Weasley could do.

"There's not much time left now, is there, Harry?" Ginny murmured softly as they lay side by side, legs entangled.

"No, not much, I think," Harry murmured softly, nosing her ear gently. "We've had our stolen year, our chance to grow up and get some training and experience. We may be able to steal a week here or there but never another year out of time. We're as trained as we can be, and if we get Dumbledore back then we will be as ready as we will ever be. We are no longer children, we are soldiers now and we have to recognise that, we're at childhood's end."

Ginny signed and nodded very slightly. "Professor Dumbledore always said our love for each other would be the thing that defeated You-Know-Who, and I think we have all discovered love in all its forms over this year. As long as we are united and strong in our love and faith, we will survive childhood's end."

"I love you, Ginny Weasley, and if we both survive this, would you marry me?" Harry asked softly, nervously.

"Yes, Harry, I will," Ginny replied equally softly but without a hint of nerves.